Despite previous reports, UFC not heading to Brazil on Nov. 15

Despite previous reports indicating the UFC was planning to hold an event in Brazil on Nov. 15, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has confirmed the promotion is not expected to venture to the South American MMA hotbed on that date.

Sources close to the promotion indicated that preliminary talks to host a Nov. 15 event in Brazil may have taken place at some point but that UFC officials never formally confirmed such plans.

Brazilian MMA reporter Guilherme Cruz first tweeted news of the potential event, which would have taken place on Brazil’s Republic Day national holiday. MMA Fighting later linked the rumored event, expected to serve as the fourth UFC on FOX Sports 1 event, to Goiania, Goias, Brazil. However, MMAjunkie.com has since confirmed with multiple sources the UFC currently has no such plans.

The UFC already has two future visits to Brazil on the schedule, as “UFC 163: Aldo vs. Jung” take place Aug. 3 in Rio de Janeiro and “UFC on FOX Sports 1 3: Teixeira vs. Bader” is expected to take place Sept. 4 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, though UFC officials have yet to make an official announcement.

MMAjunkie.com has learned additional trips to the rabid market are also possible before year’s end, but nothing specific in terms of dates or host cities have yet been confirmed.

In addition to the two events scheduled for later this year, the UFC has already made three trips to MMA-crazy Brazil in 2013. While UFC President Dana White has called Canada a “Mecca” for MMA outside of the U.S., Brazil’s passion for the sport has quickly turned the nation into one of the promotion’s favored destinations.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.